“More than anything, I think the club wanted a manager who was going to be here for a long period of time and try and emulate what Sir Alex did.

“The new boss will have his own ways and his own style of management, but there are elements of Sir Alex in him.

“David Moyes is determined, he’s a winner and you can see that his teams have a real identity about them in terms of the way they play.

“There’s also an intensity about the way he is as a person. Whenever I’ve met him I’ve been struck by that and I think he’ll be a great addition to the club.

“He always produced competitive teams at Everton, with very little resources. Now he will have those resources, hopefully we’ll see the fruits of that with our team.”

Ferdinand expects Moyes, who has already shaken up United's backroom staff, to bring his own ideas to Old Trafford but is convinced the United squad will adapt.

“The manager will come in with new ideas and will want to implement new things,” Ferdinand continued.

“I know that the players we’ve got within our changing room will embrace that completely and give everything for him.

“It will be different at first, but I can’t wait to get back in again and start training under the new manager and his staff.

“I’ve spoken to the new boss a few times and what’s pleasing is that he’s a football man through and through.

“You could sit and talk to him for ages about the game, and he wants to know everything about the club. He’s coming in with his eyes and ears wide open to learn everything there is about the club and hopefully continue the success we have had.

“You want to be a part of something new and exciting, and this is just that. It’s a great opportunity to write another chapter in the club’s amazing history.”